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sauna vs. steam room? - 1/27/2009 9:16:50 PM   
mc1234


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Status: offline 		In the gym I recently joined I have a few options including a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi.  I'm wondering if anyone has experience with these and think one is better than the other in terms of health benefits.  I'm looking to help alleviate my poor aching muscles after my new workouts.  I also find myself zoning out in the sauna - kind of meditating a bit, which is nice.  But I don't want to dry my skin out with the dry heat.  Beyond the 15 minute and wear shower shoes rule, does anyone have any advice/tips/experience, both pros and cons, to share?

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 1/28/2009 6:09:47 AM   
VeryNastyDom


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Status: offline 		They each have their charms, the only real difference being the moisture content.  If you have a cold, the steam is great for opening up those clogged lungs and I guy I used to know at my health club loved to lather up his face and then shave in there to get an ultra smooth result.  He used a straight razor and I always worried about what would happen if he dropped that in his lap (ouch)!

I now live in a house that was built with a sauna.  The only warning is that if you have circulatory problems you need to limit your time in there, and don't use the upper levels until you get used to it.  Hot air really does rise!

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 1/28/2009 6:22:31 AM   
suhlut


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Status: offline 		mm i love both.. used to go into the gym sauna..after a swim.. and loved drying in that ooh so beautiful  and deep heat. Always made me sleepy though

also used and enjoyed thier steam room.. Heat wasn't as "bone deep" in sensation.. as the Sauna.. but still i really loved the steam.. how it made my skin feel.. how it felt to breath.. and it never made me feel sleepy.

So.. if your looking for a difference.. If you have plans for a busy ~rest of your day~ and can't afford to feel sleepy.. avoid the Sauna..and use the steam room instead..  If your looking to feel relaxed and mellow for ~the rest of your day~ use the Sauna.

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 1/28/2009 12:10:03 PM   
DesFIP


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Status: offline 		People with high blood pressure should be careful in either. Beyond that, it's a matter of taste. You aren't going to damage your skin/hair in 15 minutes.

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 1/28/2009 12:30:52 PM   
sub4hire


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Status: offline 		We have a sauna at home.  Dry sauna.  So, I use it more frequently than anything else.

However...at the gym we used to go to they had a wet sauna.  That is my personal preference.  Just something about the wet heat.

Health benefits..don't really know other than if you are clogged up the wet is supposed to be a bit better.

As for drying out my dermatologist tells me to put lotion on prior.  It also sort of gives you a deep moisturizing treatment.
You can also put a few drops of eucalyptus on a cotton ball for the dry sauna when you're feeling a little stuffy.

I'd use both...then use the one you like the best more often.

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 1/28/2009 12:34:12 PM   
ServeMeInVA


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Status: offline 		I plan on getting a large jaccuzi tube in my bathroom.
I want to be able to use it as I get older, despite whatever medical conditions I have.

You really have to be careful with steam rooms and sauna's with certain medical conditions.

Me?  I just want the jets and whirlpool action.

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 1/28/2009 1:55:07 PM   
CallaFirestormBW


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Status: offline 		I think it's really a matter of preference. For me, dry sauna is much more like the environment of the sweatlodges I used to build in North Carolina... but here in Houston, even if you -wanted- dry heat, there's no way in hell... the dehumidifier in the dry saunas down here are pushed to the max once the temp gets up over 110 degrees or so -- so I haven't done much sauna down here. If I ever get back to someplace that isn't a rainforest, I'll probably start doing dry saunas again.

Speaking of this... does anyone have suggestions for controlling temperature on electronics in the sauna or some music players that hold up better to extreme heat? I have certain music, etc., that I really love to trance out on, but I've toasted a couple of CD players and an iPod taking them into extended (20+ minutes for 5 rounds, with a 5 minute break between rounds) sweatlodge sessions, including 'shock-protected' and pressure-protected electronics.


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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 1/28/2009 5:29:28 PM   
mc1234


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Status: offline 		Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions!  I know i'm healthy enough to use both in moderation, no high blood pressure or anything else I know of. 

Just after 15 mins in the sauna last night I had such dry patches on my cheeks and forehead - but I have very dry skin to begin with.  I'll try it with adding lotion before and after to see if it helps, because I do enjoy both.

Calla - I was thinking how great it would be to have my ipod in the sauna with me last night, but I don't want to break it, obviously.  Then I worked on zoning myself out without it and it was kinda nice for a bit to sit in silence... how rare that is these days!


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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 1/28/2009 6:13:04 PM   
DelilahDeb


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Status: offline 		Steam rooms are my favorite—I have zero tolerance for dry heat. Yes, the human body can tolerate higher temperatures with low humidity, but sauna makes my sinuses HURT. Lifelong flow has made steam rooms way helpful. And steam also does wonders for my skin.

Heck, most saunas have provision for steaming it up (the hot rocks that you pour water on), but that just seems like doing things the hard way.


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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 2/3/2009 8:43:02 PM   
NYLass


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Status: offline 		I like them both equally.  My only caution would be not to swim afterward, unless you showered in cool water to close the pores.  You don't need the heavy doses they use in public pools in your pores.  (Or if I'm wrong, please give me an expert medical opinion.  I've been swimming first before indulging in the sauna for years now because Mom told me to.)

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 2/4/2009 7:10:22 AM   
sub4hire


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Status: offline 		MC, I've been to a lot of dermatologists in the past couple of years.  You need to use good lotion.

Aveeno, Lubriderm and Cetaphol there are the  lotions out there.  Though dermatologists recommend these three.  That is
until you graduate to prescription lotions.  Very costly and they don't do much more than the top 3.

Kind of sad for me anyway...I used to love the scented stuff.  Now its worthless. 

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 2/4/2009 2:36:05 PM   
Guilty1974


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Status: offline 		I can't really take wet heat, so my preference is the dry sauna. It works great for me, feel great after it.

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 2/4/2009 7:48:25 PM   
UncleNasty


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Status: offline 		Saunas don't have to be dry - though the majority of the saunas out there are electric heated and quite dry.

I built a scandinavian style sauna down in my woods, heated with a wood burning stove. I keep a pan full of rocks and water on top, and I also have a squirt bottle I spray the stove with. Humidity is fairly high, perhaps 50 - 70 percent, when going after the stove with the bottle.

Long, several hour saunas, cycling through HOT to moderate and taking breaks out on the porch, are pretty close to spiritual experience.

Uncle Nasty

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 2/5/2009 2:44:55 PM   
LittleMeganV


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Status: offline 		Personally I think it depends on your work outs if all three are available. I'd use the sauna after a swimming session (I usually do 1.5k and push for 2 as time allows), as someone already mentioned it feels really nice to dry off in that heat. I save jacuzzis for aching muscles after any type of weights or machines, this includes treadmills and elliptical if it's a long distance or might result in aches/cramps the next day. Lastly I leave steam rooms for after cardio work outdoors, because i usually end up hacking stuff up all day and the steam room helps in getting it out.

I think it's all personal preference though.

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RE: sauna vs. steam room? - 2/5/2009 3:24:32 PM   
windchymes


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Status: offline 		I don't like saunas or steam rooms because I really hate being hot and sweaty, go figure.  But I do love the jacuzzi's for sore muscles or just relaxing.

Plus, you also have the added benefit of those strategically placed water jets......

< Message edited by windchymes -- 2/5/2009 3:25:33 PM >

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